Poole bridge opening time changed

[rich]

The matrix signes along Blandford road Hamworthy are advising people that the 1230 bridge opening time is being changed to 1200hrs as from May 18th.

Not sure why.

 

Rich

[Rob]

 

Good to see you are about Rich - hope to catch up soon at a meeting or on the water.

 

Rob

[AHoy]

The matrix signes along Blandford road Hamworthy are advising people that the 1230 bridge opening time is being changed to 1200hrs as from May 18th.

Not sure why.

 

Rich

The change to the bridge opening time is due to the summer Ro-Ro service arrival times. Quote from PHC "The Ferries will now be arriving at 12.15 and 12.45 so the 12.30 bridge lift is going to get in the way of 250 cars getting off the ferry". The initial proposal was to change to an 11:30 lift but 12:00 was agreed as a compromise (following discussions with interested parties).

 

If they are that concerned about timing perhaps they will buy the bridge operator a new clock to get over the normal ten minutes or so delay on opening times.

 

Alan.

[Mike Fox]

It was entertaining the other week - he was opening on time, the tannoy system was working on the bridge, and the bridge keeper was telling the boats off for not being "on station" and delaying him.

 

Most of the boats there were incredulous.

 

Remember you can call Poole Bridge on Ch 14, after a reasonable period, such as a minute or so, and ask if he's going to lift the bridge on time.

 

That can be fun.

 

I guess asking him the time, or asking "how he has been keeping" might be equally popular.

 

Mike

[Bob F]

What are you supposed to be doing when "on station"?

 

Listening on the proper VHF channel whilst sipping a cold G&T?

 

Engines gunned up and ready to fly grandprix-style when the lights go green?

 

Jostling for position at the start line like the Yachties do in a race?

 

The mind boggles.

 

BF

[boyscott]

I came back in the dark a few weeks back and although I normally fit under it I spied a red light. When I got closer I saw the bridge was closed to traffic and there were workmen on it so thought fair enough, they're stopping boats going under for safety.

A workman saw me waiting and hailed over, apologising and said they were running behind schedule but would be opeing soon. Well I waited about 30-40 mins eventually.

Only as the bridge was about to lift did I realise I had been looking at the wrong red light! There is a small one near the inshore lifeboat station - that became obvious when the real red traffic light came on for a few moments before going green.

Doh!

[rich]

I raised the matter of late bridge opening times with councillors at the last area committee meeting. I emphasised the problems from the marine view point. I have just received a written reply in the "Matters arising from the minutes". It's a bit long winded but here goes.

There are apparently legitimate reasons for delaying the bridge lift for a few minutes, examples of such circumstances were given as follows :

 

The Emergency Services notifying the council of its need to cross the Bridge at a time when a scheduled lift was due. to assist with dealing with the emergency, (Council) officers would delay a lift for up to 15 minutes.

 

If the Bridge Operators were notified that a commercial vessel(entitled to request an additional lift) was due to arrive at the Bridge a few minutes after a scheduled lift,(Council) officers would delay the lift to avoid the need, and subsequent (traffic)disruption, from an additional lift.

 

The Control Room performed a range of functions. Once a lift had commenced the Operator was committed to completing the task. However if a lift were due, when all the Operators were dealing with an emergency or urgent task(such as operating the Lifeline System or working the CCTV System, to support a Police operation) a bridge lift would be delayed by afew minutes.

 

Under previous legislation the Council could not raise the Bridge before the published time but could delay a lift by up to 15 minutes for operational reasons such as those noted above. The principle of a 15 minute tolerance was still practiced although as far as possible, the Operators worked within a couple of minutes of the Scheduled Timetable.

 

There you have it. Not much we can do about the late openings, but at least they are aware of the feelings of the Marine fraternity.

 

 

Rich